VIDEO: Opposition parties must share blame for problems with IBRC Commission, says Taoiseach

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said that Opposition parties must share the blame for the problems facing the IBRC Commission of Investigation.

VIDEO: Opposition parties must share blame for problems with IBRC Commission,  says Taoiseach

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said that Opposition parties must share the blame for the problems facing the IBRC Commission of Investigation.

Today marks the deadline for Opposition TDs to send their ideas to the Taoiseach about how the inquiry can be saved from its legal difficulties.

However, the Taoiseach has said that the Opposition also has to carry some of the blame for not spotting the issues sooner.

Responding to Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams in the Dáil, the Taoiseach said: "When we put through a decision here to have a Commission of Investigation, neither you, nor anybody else, raised the questions that the Justice has pointed out in his interim report.

"That's why I sent it to you at an early date, That's why I sent it to you as soon as I could, That's why I sent it to the other leaders of the other groupings.

"I asked them for their written response, because it's in everybody's interest."

He also told the Dáil he would not publish the legal advice of the Attorney General, whose input was rejected by the Commission.

"No, I won't publish the AG's advice," he said.

"The Justice [Brian Cregan], in his complete independence, has sent his interim report, and he has pointed out what he considers are real challenges here.

"We need to find a way of dealing with that as a real response from that, from the Oireachtas here."

Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Adams accused the Government of making an "utter shambles" of the terms of reference for the IBRC Commission of Investigation.

“Making a mess of the big issues of Government has become the hallmark of this Fine Gael/Labour Government," he said.

"The first Interim Report from Mr. Justice Brian Cregan makes it clear that the Commission’s terms of reference - prepared on your watch - are an absolute and utter shambles.

"Similar to the calamity that exists in our A&E departments and the utter chaos of 5,000 men, women and children sleeping in emergency accommodation, you have made a mess of the Commission of Investigations terms of reference and dismissed Sinn Féin’s suggestions.

"All because you are against holding the golden circles to account.

"That is why you blocked and stonewalled any effort to bring transparency to the transactions undertaken by IBRC.

"Billions of taxpayers’ money was written off and found its way into the deep pockets of the elites. The public need and deserve answers.

"It is incumbent on the Taoiseach to now give assurances that the necessary changes to legislation and the IBRC Commission’s terms of reference will be put in place by Christmas, and he must commit to facilitating extended and additional sitting days of the Dáil and Seanad if needs be."

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